Friday, July 24, 2009
Ok then, why didn't I hear you then?
To make sure that Chance heard me, I repeated my request and he even looked at me and nodded.
Half an hour later, while passing through the living room, I noticed that the matchbox car was still laying exactly as it had been all morning so I called out to Chance to come see me.
"Chance, I asked you to put this car away half an hour ago. Someone is going to step on it and get hurt."
With great conviction, Chance explained that I had NOT told him to pick up the car and take it back to his room.
I assured him that I had indeed asked him to put the car away.
Then Chance, with his head bent and his voice full of exasperation asked, "Why did I not hear you then?! "
Where to start with this question. It obviously did not occur to Chance that he would not have heard me. The problem was mine. I wanted to laugh, but Chance was so earnest and serious.
Honestly, I think that this moment had less to do with Chance's hearing loss than his being a typical 9 year old boy who gets distracted as his mother is talking to him sometimes.
Apparently, for future record though, if Chance does not hear me, it is my doing. Not his :)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Riding the 'Wican'
"I'm going on the wican!" Chance declared, referring to one of the rides he had heard his brother talking about.
We take Chance's implants off for the rides since we don't want to know what happens to them when Chance is hurtling around at 60 m.p.h.
How much more attuned must your other senses be on a roller coaster when you are not hearing anything?! Whatever the feeling is, Chance seems to really like it")
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Chance feels the music
Today as we drove, Chance suddenly said,"Is that music? I feel music!"
From what I could see in the rear view mirror, Chance was even swaying a little to the music he felt.
Sometimes, I would like to be inside of Chance's world and feel what he feels for a moment.
Once Chance was at his private swimming lessons, I had to remind him that even though he could not hear his teacher, his teacher could hear him. I think Chance is so used to being in a class with several other kids, that he isn't used to so much attention from the teacher.
I would hear Chance say, "What?" when his teacher said something that he did not get a good lip read on, but Chance seemed to forget that even though he could not hear his teacher, his teacher could hear him.
I was again amazed at just how good Chance is at reading lips. His teacher was in the water with Chance swimming or walking along beside him and was really good at getting Chance's attention and putting himself in Chance's view so that they could communicate with speaking and lip reading. The teacher would also motion or use signals so that Chance would know what was going on.
It was a very positive experience. Chance worked harder than he ever had before during swim class. The class was tailor made for Chance's level and endurance and that is just what we need.